Door supporting and operating mechanism



Jan. 4, 1955 .P. CURETON DOOR SUPPORTING AND OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 12, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l P404 (0mm INVENTOR.

flrraeva/ I Jan. 4, 1955 P. CURETON DOOR SUPPORTING AND OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 12, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvrox.

Armew-w Jan. 4, 1955 P. CURETON 2,693,457

noon SUPPORTING AND OPERATING macmmxsu Filed Oct. 12, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet s v w 1 a; i-39 43 4o .95

Q 0 L 52 FA 5 w a BY r United States Patent 2,698,457 noon SUPPORTING AND OPERATING MECHANISM Application October 12, 1951 Serial No. 250,977

7 Claims. (Cl. 16147)- 7 This invention relates to pivotally hung doors and has particular reference to a door which, in closed position, is pivotally supported at both sides for opening movement at either side.

It is the object of the invention to provide a door operating mechanism which only can be operated from one side at a time but which cannot be operated from both sides at the same time. Another object of the invention is to provide means for pivotally supporting such double hung door having a minimum of protruding parts; the supporting means including hinge pins and sockets for these pins all of which are so shaped that they may be interengaged and disengaged from each other without jamming, even when not perfectly alined.

Another object is to provide means for adjusting the sockets of the door supports in order to insure tight fit of the hinge pins within the sockets and so as to eliminate lost motion due to wear of the parts; also for the purpose of properly alining the door relative to the door framing in the first place. Still another object is to provide means for automatically cocking the latch at the side of the door which is being opened and again automatically to trip the latch when the door is being closed thereby to insure a powerful hugging act-ion of the door against the door rame.

To this end the invention resides in the combinatio hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a refrigerator such as found in the average home and showing the manner in which the door is supported on the refrigerator at each side thereof;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional plan view of the refrigerator door and door ing and is taken substantially on line 2--2 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of a part of the door operating mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of a portion of the mechanism at the right side of the door;

connected. These operating bars are by'han'clles 15, 16, in

a manner which will now be described, operable to withdraw the pivotal rods from their sockets at one side of the door by swinging the adjacent handleoutwardly. The handle at the other side of the door remains locked against outward swinging movement until the door again is closed.

Referring now to Fig. 2, it is noticed that the handles l5, 16 are mounted to swing outwardly on pivots 17 of brackets 18 of the door and since, as above explained, the mechanism within the door which is actuated by movement of the handles to open the door is the same on both sides, a description of this mechanism at one side of the door is intended to cover also the mechanism at the other side thereof. The handle 15 is shown fitted with .an inwardly projecting finger 19, which contacts the inner end of the bar 13 to move this bar to the left as the handle is swung outwardly, thereby to swing links 11, 12 outwardly into the position shown at the left in Fig. l and so to withdraw the pivot rods from their sockets.

A latch plate 25 is hung on a pivot 26 within the door for swingingmovement between a locking position, shown at the right-hand end of Figure 2, and a released position, shown at the left-hand end of Figure 2. The outer end of this plate is shown recessed to provide a knob 27 which, while the door is in closed position and before the handle is swung outward to initiate opening movement of the door, engages a stop 28 of the door frame 29 to lock the door against outward movement. An arm 30 is rigidly secured. to the latch plate and the outer end of this arm is grooved to ride on a projection 31 of the bar 13 and so to swing the latch plate to a position intermediate the said locking and released positions, as shown in Figure 6, when the handle has been swung outwardly to move the bar. The latch plate is spring-loaded by springs 40, which are described in more detail hereinafter, and the recess defined between the knob 27 and a second knob 32 is slightly off center with respect to a line drawn through the centerline of the arm 43 and the pivot 26. When the handle 15 is pulled outwardly, the operating bar 13 is shifted outwardly by the finger 19, rotating the latch plate to the in- Fig. 5 is an end view of details of construction and is taken substantially on line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a portion of the mechanism shown at the left end of Fig. 2 and is added in order more completely to explain the functioning of the mechanism during the opening movement of the door;

Fig. 7 shows some of the mechanism at the right end of Fig. 2 in a different position of adjustment during the openingmovement of the door; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view illustrating my improved means for adjusting the position of the door on its pivots initially to aline the door with the door framing and to take up lost motion due to wear on the pivotal connections of the door.

Fig. 1 of the drawings presents a front elevational view 'of a conventional refrigerator 1 which is fitted with a door 2 and the latter is in the closed position indicated in this drawing shown supported by pivotal rods 3, 4, 5 and 6, engaging brackets 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the door frame above and below the upper and lower corners of the door. In this view, it is noted that these pivotal rods and their supports are only partly disclosed, but it is to be understood that the construction at both sides of the door and at all four corners thereof may be and preferably is identical. In view of this explanation, it will be understood that as the pivotal rods 3, 4 are shown pivotally joined to links 11, 12 which, in turn, are pivotally joined to operating bars 13, so are the pivotal rods 5, "similarly constructed and termediate position shown in Figure 6, and simultaneously retracting the hinge pins on that side of the door sufliciently to clear their respective sockets. The latch is then almost on dead center with respect to the springs 40, and a further pull on the handle causes the door to pull away from the frame, which results in the knob 27 being hooked by the door stop 28, thereby pulling the latch plate over center to the released position as the edge .of the door moves away from the frame. When pressure subsequently is exerted against the handle 15 to return the door to closed position, it is found that the second knob 32 of the latch plate is brought into contact with the stop 28 tions, thereby again to return the hinge rods 3, 4 to engagement with the sockets of the brackets 7, 8.

The door is now securely locked on its hinges at both sides. It becomes necessary, however, to provide further means for interlocking the two sides of the door in order to prevent simultaneous outward movement of the handles to release both sides of the door and so to disconnect the door for removal from the refrigerator. Such means is in the drawings, for the sake of simplicity, shown to include a rod 35 which is hung for axial movement within brackets 36 of the door and the ends of this rod engage notches 37 of both latch plates while the door remains in closed position. However, when'the handle 15 is swung outwardly to move the operating bar and to turn the latch plate into the position shown at the left of Fig. 2 it is found that the adjacent end of the shaft 35 is pushed out,of the notch 37 and caused to ride along the curved inner surface of the plate thereby to force the right end of the shaft to the bottom of the notch of the latch plate at the right of the drawing and so rigidly to lock this plate against movement. It is to be understood that it is necessary, in order to enable the parts to function in this manner; correctly to shape the ends 39 of the rod 35 and the notches 37 of the plates and to make the rod slightly shorter than the distance between the inner walls of the notches 37 when the plates both are swung into closed door position. Illustrative thereof, I .have shown Patented Jan. 4.193s

r 3 o the notches and the ends of the rod beveled. But while the rod 35 in this manner is given some clearance for axial movement within the notches of the plates, this clearance is not sufficient to permit of outward swinging movementof both handles at the same time .to release both sides of the door for opening movement.

While one of the operating bars and the ad acent latch plate are in the manner above described positively moved to unlock and to lock the door in response to swinging movement of the door handle, I have found it advantageous to provide additionalmeans for more securely locking the latch plates in both positions. Illustrative of such means I have, in Figs. 2 and 3, shown compression spnngs 40, 41 mounted between the inner ends of the brackets 42 and extensions 43 of the latch plates in such position relative to these parts that the springs .are moved over the dead center each time the plate is turned on its pivot to open or close the door and so to exert very powerful pressure to maintain the plates in either one of these positions. Stop pins 46, 48 are seated in the bar 13 for contact with the bracket 36 positively to limit swinging movement of this plate in both directions. The firings 40, 41 are, in order to function more efliciently, own hung on studs 44, the outer ends of which are fitted with spherical heads 45. riding in circular sockets of the brackets 42 and the extensions 43, between which the springs are held suspended.

' Upon-these compression springs depends the successful use and operation of my door and it is important fully to understand the manner in which the springs function during the opening and closing movements of the door. For this purpose, I have in Fig. 6 shown the door at the very beginning of the outwardly swinging movement of the handle 15.

The springs 40 have in this view nearly reached dead center position but are still urging closing movement of the latch plate. 7 If the' handle is released at this point it is found that the springs will snap the door ba'clt into closed position.

It will be noted in Figure 6 that the knob 27 does not yet clear the door stop 28, and as the door is pulled open further, the latch plate is pulled over center with respect to the spring 40 by the door stop, When the line of thrust of the spring 40 moves above the center of the pivot 26, the spring snaps the latch plate over to the released position shown in the left-hand side of Figure 2, in which position the knob 27 clears the door stop 28 and the door is free to open. Further rotation of the plate by the springs is now checked by the stop 48 'of the bar 13 striking the 7 bracket which supports the end of the rod 35.

During this opening movement of the left side of the door, it is important to note that the latch plate knob 21 at the right side of the door barely is free to pass the door stop 28, substantially as indicated in Fig.7. Theseclose fits are absolutely essential in orderforthe mechanism to function properly.

It was above stated that adjustment of thedoor hinge sockets forms an important feature of the invention and such adjustment'may be effected substantially in the man;

ner illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The bracket 7 is, in

this view, shown perforated to receive a bolt 50 into the head "of which is'sunk a conical recess 51 of a size fittingly to receive therein the pointed end of the hinge pin 3. Nuts 52, 53 engage the threads of the bolt above and below the flange 54 of the bracket to lock the bolt rigidly in adjusted position on this flange. It is to be understood that all four hinge brackets would be similarly fitted with adjustable socketjbolts and that these bolts are eachadjusted properly to set the door relative to the framing. The adjustmentshould begin at one of the lower corners in order to mount the door at the proper height, whereupon adjustment is continued to make ,certain that the door isvertically hung on the refrigerato It should be clear from the foregoing description that I have provided a simple and highly efficient mechanism for opening a door from either side thereof but which cannot be opened .from both sides at the same time; a mechanism which will function smoothly and silently requin'ngvery little pull on the handle to initiate opening movement; a mechanism in which by powerful spring tension the opening and closing movements of they parts thereof automatl 4 v its framing and which may beas easily adjusted to compensate for normal wear on the hinges of the door.

But while I have herein described a preferred form of v the invention, it is not thereby intended to be limited to the'exact arrangements, proportions and shapes shown-in the drawings, but right is reserved to embody therem such modifications as will fall within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

I claim:

1. A device for operating a door hung on hinges at both sides thereof, each hinge comprising a socket member above and below the door and hinge rods in the door normally engaging the sockets of said. members, a door stop on the door frame at each side thereof, latch plates pivotally hung within the door, each of said plates having a knob thereon normally engaging the door stops tomaintain the door closed, an operating handle pivotally hung for outward swinging movement on the door at each side 'thereof, an operating bar horizontally hung within the door at each side thereof adjacent said hinge rods, each projection on the bar engaging said arm to swing the latch' plate inwardly in response to outward swinging movement of the handle thereby to disengage the knob of the latch plate from the door stop, and links between each operating bar and the adjacent hinge rods for moving said rods to disengage the rods from their sockets upon axial movement of the bar to withdraw the latch plate from the door stop.

2. A device for operating a door hung on hinges at both sides thereof, each hinge comprising a socket member above and below the door and hinge rods in the door normally engaging the sockets of said members, a door stop on the door frame at each sidethereof, latch plates pivotally hung within the door, each of said plates having a knob thereon normally engaging the door stops to maintain the door closed, an operating handle pivotally hung for outward swinging movement on the door at each side thereof, an operating bar horizontally hung within the door at each side thereof adjacent said hinge rods, each handle having a finger inwardly projecting therefrom in position to engage the innerflend of the adjacent operating bar and to move the bar axially in response to outward movement of the handle, an arm on the latch plate, a projection on the bar engaging said arm to swing the latch plate inwardly in response to outward swinging movement of the handle thereby to disengagethe knob .of the latch plate from the door stop, means operatively interconnecting the bar and binge rods at each side of the door to disengage the rods from the sockets upon axial movement of the barto withdraw the latch plate from the door stop, and means for limiting axial movement of the bar.

3. A device for operating a door hung on hinges at both .sides thereof comprising, a door stop on the door frame at each side thereof, latch plates pivotally hung within the door, eachvof said plates having a knob thereon normally engaging the door stops to maintain the door closed and a notch in the innersurface thereof, an operating handle pivotally hung for outward swinging movement on the door at each side thereof, an operating bar horizontally hung within the door at each side thereof, each handle having a finger inwardly projecting therefrom in position to engage theinner end of the adjacentoperating bar and to move the bar axially in response to outward movement of the handle, an arm on the latch plate, a pro ection on the bar engaging said arm to swing the latch plate inwardly in response to outward swinging sockets upon axial movement of the barto withdraw the latch plate from the. door step, and a rod hung for axial movement within the door, the ends of the rod loosely engaging the notches of the plates, swinging movement of one plate to withdraw the plate from the door stop forcing the end of the rod out of the notch of said plate thereby to move the rod axially to cause the other end thereof tightly to seat within the notch of the other plate and so to'lock the latter-against swinging movement.

device for operating a door hung-on hinges at both sides thereofyeach hinge com g a socket memberaboveandbelowthedoorand rodsinthedoor' normally engaging the sockets of said members; a door stop on the door frame at each side thereof, latch plates pivotally hung within the door, each of said plates havmg a knob thereon normally engaging the door stops to maintain the door closed, an operating handle pivotally hung for outward swinging movement on the door at each side thereof, an operating bar horizontally hung within the door at each side thereof adjacent said hinge rods, each handle having a finger inwardly projecting therefrom in position to engage the inner end of the adjacent operating bar and to move the bar axially in response to outward movement of the handle, an arm on the latch plate, a projection on the bar engaging said arm to swing the latch plate inwardly in response to outward swinging movement of the handle thereby to disengage the knob of the latch plate from the door stop, means operatively interconnecting the bar and hinge rods at each side of the door to disengage the rods from the sockets upon axial movement of the bar to withdraw the latch plate from the door stop, and resilient means yieldingly maintaining the latch plates in either position.

5. A device for operating a door comprising a door stop on the door'frame at each side thereof, latch plates pivoted on said door adjacent each side edge thereof for swinging movement between a holding position and a released position, means connected to each of said latch plates for yieldingly holding the same in either of said positions, each of said latch plates having means thereon engageable with said door stop to hold the edge of the door tightly against the frame when the latch plate is in said holding position, and said means disengaging said door stop to allow the door to o n when in said released position, an operating bar horizontally supported within said door at each side thereof for axial movement, a handle pivoted on the door at each side thereof and connected to said operating bar to move the same axially, an arm on each latch plate, a projection on the adjacent bar engaging said arm to swing said latch plate-from said holding position toward said released position responsive to swinging movement of said handle, thereby releasing said door from said door stop and allowing the door to open, vertically alined socket members at each side of the door frame, hinge rods slidably supported within the door and normally engaging the sockets of said members, and means operatively interconnecting the bar and hinge rods at each side of the door to retract the rods from 'said sockets upon axial movement of the bar in the direction to move said latch plate toward-said released position.

6. A device for operating a door comprising a door stop on the door frame at each side thereof, latch plates pivoted on said door adjacent each side edge thereof for swinging movement between a holding position and a released position, spring means .connected to each of said latch plates for yieldingly holding the same in either of said positions, each of said latch plates having means thereon engageable with said door stop to hold the edge of the door tightly against the frame when the latch plate is in said holding position, and said means disengaging said door stop to allow the door to open when in said released position, an operating handle pivoted on said door at each side thereof for outward swinging movement, a horizontal operating bar supported for axial movement within the door at each side thereof, said handle being connected to said operating bar to shift the same axially when said handle is pulled outwardly, sockets at each side of the door frame, a pair of oppositely extending, vertical hinge rods mounted on the door adjacent each side edge thereof and movable longitudinally, the outer ends of said hinge rods being engageable in said sockets when extended, link means connecting the adjacent ends of said pairs of binge rods and operable to extend the same when moved in one direction, the outer end of each of said operating bar's being connected to said lmk means to move the same in the direction to extend said hinge rods when said bar is moved in one direction and to retract said hinge rods when the bar is moved in the other direction, an arm on each latch plate, a projection on the adjacent bar engaging said arm to swing the latch plate to a position intermediate said holding and released positions when said operating bar is shifted axially in said other direction by outward swinging movement of said handle, further pull on said handle causing said door to pull away from the frame, said latch plate being pulled over to said released position by said door stop as the edge of the door moves away from the frame, thereby cocking said latch plate in reariness for the closing operation, and said means on said latch plate being engaged by said door stop and moved thereby to said holding position when the door is closed, movement of said operating bar in said other direction causing the hinge rods on the opening side of the door to retract from their stockets to release the door for opening movement.

7. A device for operating a door comprising a door stop on the door frame at each side thereof, latch plates pivoted on said door adjacent each side edge thereof for swinging movement between a holding position and a released position, spring means connected to each of said latch plates for yieldingly holding the same in either of said positions, each of said latch plates having means thereon engageable with said door stop to hold the edge of the door tightly against the frame when the latch plate is in said holding position, and said means disengaging said door stop to allow the door to open when in said released position, an operating bar supported for axial movement within the door at each side thereof, sockets at each side of the door frame, a pair of oppositely extending, vertical hinge rods mounted on the door adjacent each side thereof and movable longitudinally, the outer ends of said hinge rods being engageable in said sockets when extended, link means connecting the adjacent ends of said pairs of binge rods and operable to extend the same when moved in one direction, the outer end of each of said operating bars being connected to said link means to move the same in the direction to extend said hinge rods when said bar is moved in one direction and to retract said hinge rods when the bar is moved in the other direction, an arm on each latch plate, a projection on the adjacent bar engaging said arm to swing the latch plate in one direction or the other responsive to axial movement of said operating bar, handle means pivoted on said door and connected to each of said operating bars to shift the same axially, said handle means being operable to shift one or the other of said operating bars in the direction to swing theassociated latch plate to a position intermediate said holding and released positions and to simultaneously retract the hinge rods on that side from their respective sockets, thereby releasing that side of the door for opening movement, further pull on said handle causing said door to pull away from the frame, said latch plate being pulled over to said released position by said door stop as the edge of the door moves away from the frame, thereby cocking said latch plate in readiness for the closing operation, and said means on.said latch plate being engaged by said door stop and moved thereby to said holding position when the door is closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

